Apparatus for handling and forming pipe-skelp



J. SIMPSON AND Hv E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HMDLING AND FOIRMIN'G'PIPE SKELP.

- APPLICATION rlLeri nov. 13, 1920. I 1,391,912. Patentedsept- 27,1921.

I3 SHEETS-SHEEI l- Wzd'neases:

jnveni'ora:

J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP. APPLICATION FILED NOV-13, 1920.

1,391,912, PatentedSept. 27,1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

We inesses:

nveniar-s:

J. SIMPSONAND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, I920- Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

i3 SHEETS-SHEET a. I

Wines-sea.-

J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

- APPLIcATIoN FILED Nov. I3. 19-20. I 1,391,912, 7 Patenmdsept 27, 1921.

I3 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wines-sea: 4 72087110219:

J. SIMPSON AND HE. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDEING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP'.

7 APPLICATION FILED NOV-13 1920- 1,391,912. 'PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

13 SHEETSSHEET 5v. 4

J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP- Patented Sept. 27,1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 1.3, I920.

fiiven Z0719.

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I. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING'AND ronmmc PIPE SKELP.

, APPLICATION FILED NOV. $3, 1920. 1 ,391,912.' PatentedSept. 27, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

[Vein-eases: ha e Z0719:

J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

APPLICATION FILED NOV-13, 1920- Wine/ sses:

J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS- FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 13, I920- 13 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

Patented Sept. 27, 1921.

lhvehiqrs:

Tlfnesses: fiawM J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

.L 2 w H n 7 2 L H \w 0 m & s l- M m m ed 3 P m 2 .9 v 0 N D E H N o n m H P A 2 1 9 1 9 3 1 I Win eases J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

PatentedSept. 27,1921.

[3 SHEETS-SHEET ll.

APPLlCATION FILED NOV-13, I920.

73% e 12 asses: 61 17209 212 07 J. SIMPSON AND H. E. CLAY.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 13, 1920. 1,391,912. Paten p 27, 1921.

13- SHEETS-SHEET x2.

nyzaa WfneSses: fizvnZor-s:

J. SIMPSON ANDH. E. CLAY. APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE SKELP.

APPLICATION FILED N0v.13, I920- 1,391,912. Patentedsept. 27, 1921.

13 SHEETS-SHEEI l3.

fhvenfor UNITED STATES JAMES SIMPSON AND HARRY n. CLAY, .or ivio xnnsron'r, PENNSYLVANIA. I I

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING AND FORMING PIPE-SKELP.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept; 27, 1921 Application filed November 13, 1920. Serial No, 423,924.

HARRY E. CLAY,-[both citizens of the United States, and residents of McKeesport, in the county of Allegheny-and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Handling and Forming Pipe-Skelp, of which the following is a specification.

p out the proper lengths at the cutting-off The invention relates to apparatus for handling and forming pipe skelp, and .re-

lates particularly to a novel combination of cutting-off shears, transfer tables, and clipping and cupping shears, adapted to automatically convey the skelp from the cuttingof? shears and onto the clipping table, and v automatically clipping and cupping the end of said skelp. i Y One object of the invention is to provide automatic control means for controlling the operation of the transfer tables so as to prevent piling or jamming of. the skelp.

' 'Another object of the invention is to provide automatic centering means for, centering and placing the skelp in position for clipping and cupping.

Heretofore, in making skelp the blanks were rolled to the proper thickness and then shears and piled. The pilesavere' then moved by a crane or otherwise to a cooling bed where they remained until cooled. After being cooled the pileswere again moved by a crane onto suitable truoksor buggies which hauled themto the cupping andclipping shears and table. wherethe.

. thathas passed the shears.

made the operation costly. By the above method it required several clipping and cupping shears to clip and cup the output from one mill. V

. Bythe use of the present apparatus, all I .the skelp to proper length as it is delivered to the transfer table? B. Thetransfer table 13 is connected to and overlaps the clipping table C which conveys the skelp to and away from the clipping and cupping shears D.

handling of the ,skelp manually from the time it is sheared or out to length at the cutting-off shear until it is clipped and cupped. is eliminated, theclipping and cupping operation being entirely automatic, .and two sets of apparatus are able to-handle the complete maximum output-of themill.

One form of apparatus embodying, our invention will be described in detail in the following specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Wl1lCl1 Figure 1 is a'top plan of our improved. apparatus.

Fig. 2 an enlarged fragmentary plan showing the cutting-off shear. Fig. 3 is a. sectional elevation, taken on .the line IIIIII of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 4; is a sectional elevation, taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 3, showing the operating and control mechanism -for the transfer table. 1 a i i Fig. 5 isan enlarged elevation. of the cutting-off shear, showing detailsyof the ratchet and seal for operating and controlling the conveyingn echanism of the transfer table.

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the ratchet advanced one-half revolution.

I Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the cutting-' off shear, and ratchet andseal mechanism- Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional side elevations,

showing details of the seal operating mechanism.

' Fig. 10 is across-sectional elevation on the line X X of .9, showing'theseal in operative positionon the ratchet.

F 11 is-a fragmentary plan. showing the clipping and cupp ng shears.

Fig. 12 is; a side.-.elevation of the clipping and cupping; shears. 1 g.

Fig. 13 1s a front {elevation of the clipping and cupping shears.

*PATENT OFFICE} Fig. lt 1s a rear elevationof the clipping and cuppingshears, showing fragmentary .portions of the; associated; mechanism.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the jaw portion of the clipping and cuppingshears. a

' Fig. 16 is a top plan of apiece ofaslrelp FiglS is a front end elevation of th I Skelp shown in Figs. 16 and, 17.

' Referring to the drawings,'the' letterA designatesthe cutting-offshear which shears The cutting-off I shears A are of well known construction, and comprise a bedclipping and cupping plate 2,;ahousing 3, drive shaft, gears '5, 1,;

operating shaft 6, shear blade 7, and shear block 8. I

The transfer table 13 is located in the front of the shears and comprises a plurality of supporting members 9- supporting a top portion formed of suitable skids or rails spaced apart. A drive shaftll is jour-Q naled along the forward edge of the table and carries a plurality of sprocket wheels 12 spaced apart so as to be in alinement with spaces between the rails 10. A plurality of idler sprocket wheels 13 are journaled in suitable brackets 14 along the-rear edge of the table in alinement with the sprocket wheels 12 on the shaft 11. Suitable conveyer chains 15 are trained about the sprocket wheels 12 and 13 and carry a plurality of spaced dogs 16 adapted to engage the skelp atthe shear and move it forward as the chains rotate. f

The chains 15 are rotated by the sprockets 12 on the shaft 11, which receives its power from the shaft 17 through beveled gears 18 and 19. j

The shaft 17 receives its power fromthe sheer A and is adapted to be intermittently driven by means of a disk 20 secured on the end of the shaft 21 journaled in the upper forward end of the shear housing 3, and which is geared to the operating shaft 6 of the shear by gears 22 and 23having a ratio of two to one, so that one revolution of the shaft 6, which causes one operation of the shears will also rotate the shaft 21 and the disk 20 only one-half revolution. Left-hand and righthand connecting rods 24 and 25,.

res )ectivel are ivotall mounted in the l Y P disk 20, and have their lower ends piv'otally secured to driving arms 27 and 28, respec tively, which are journaled on shoulders formed on the ratchet wheel 30, and carry pivoted dogs 29. The dogs 29 of the arms 27 and 28 are'each adapted to engage in the notches in a ratchet wheel 30 having notches 30, and secured on the shaft 17. As the shaft 21 and disk 20 are rotated,if the eccentric pin be in its uppermost position, the rods 24 and 25 will move downward, the right-hand connecting rod 25 forcing its pawl or dog 29 against one of the notches 30 of the ratchet wheel 30, thus moving the ratchet around a predetermined distance and rotating the shafts 17 and 11, and moving the conveyer chains 15 forward. While the right-hand rod 25 and its pawl are forcing the ratchet 30 around, the left-hand rod 24 and its pawl or dog 29 are moving down freely along the other side of the ratchet ready to engage one of the other notches 30 on the next half revolution of the disk 20, which will move the rods 24 and 25 and pin 26 to their upper or starting position again. During the last half revolution of the disk and upward movement of the rods 24 and 25, the rod 25 will move its dog 29 freely up along the ratchet 30 into position to engage one of the notches 30 on the next operation of the shear. Each operation or complete stroke of the shear will cause the shaft 21 and disk20 to revolve one-half revolution,

will be movingv througha greater space and V the rods 24 and 25 will be reciprocated considerably, thereby rotating the shafts 17 and r 11 and chains 15 to convey the cut skelp away from the shears. This operation'willbe repeated at each cutting stroke of the shears, and therefore the cut skelp will be moved automatically, step by step, along the transfer table B.

As the skelp is moved along the transfer table B it will engage a counterweighted rocking lever 32 pivotally mounted on a bracket secured beneath the table. The lever 32 is positioned at that portion of the table B that overlaps the clipping table C and is connected by a connecting rod 33 to a crank arm 33 which is secured to a stub shaft 34 that is journaled under the table B, adjacent to its rear edge. The shaft v34 has a second crank 35 secured thereon which is connected by a connecting rod 35 m one end of a bell crank lever 36 which is. pivotally mounted on a bearing bracket 37 secured to the table B. The other end of the bell crank is pivotally connected to a disk member or seal 38 journaled on the shaft 17 and having lugs 39 thereon adapted to en-' gage the dogs 29 as the seal is rotated, and hold 'saiddogs out of the notches30 As the skelp moves onto the lever 32 it will rock, pulling the connecting rod 33 and crank 33 rocking shaft34 and crank 35, which in turn will move the connectin rod 35 forward so as to rock the hell crank lever 36, rocking the lever 36 rotates the seal 38, causing its lugs 39 to move into position over the notches 30 in the ratchet 30, which will prevent the dogs 29 of the rods 24 and 25 from engaging therein and, thereby, allow the chains 15 on the table B to remain stationary. The skelp is conveyed forwardly from the lever:

32 by a plurality of trolleys E on the clip scope. The conveying trolleys E of the clipping table are adapted to travel over onto the transfer table and pull the skelp piles from their position on the trigger 32, onto the clipping table.

The clippingtable Gcomprises a plurality of supporting members 411 adapted to support a top frame lQhaving a plurality of trolley guides 43 secured thereon adapted to support and guide'the trolleys E. The top ofthe table is composed ofmetal plates 1 1 spaced to form trolley passage-ways 4:5.

The trolleys E are formed of trolley bars I 46 adapted to. reciprocate in the guides 43 and having a series ofpivoted dogs 47 at equally spaced intervalsin the length thereof. The upper ends of the do s 17 are ar-.

ranged to tilt downwardly'w enxthe bars are moved rearwar dlyon the table to permit their'passage under the skelp,and are held by pins 18 against:tiltingwhen moved in the opposite; direction. The upper ends of the dogs 47 are adapted to engage the edges of the skelp and, by a step bystep movement,

transfer the skelp along the table.

The clipping and cupping shear. D is 10- cated at the end of the clipping andcupping table C, and is of well known construction,

provided'with anovelcombination bottom plunger. in raised position.

knife anddie 49, a recip'rocat'ing combination upperknife and die50, and a novelbending plunger 51. The plunger 51 is provided with guide rods 52 which pass through suit able apertures 53 in an extension 5 10f the reciprocating shear head 55, which carries the upper knife and die 50. The guide rods 52 extend through suitable apertures 56 in a bracket 57, thereby yieldably holding the Suitable gags 59 of greater diameter than the apertures 53 are removably secured around the other guides and are adapted to beengaged by the head 55 as it moves down to clip the skelpj As the-head 55 engages the gags 59 it will move the plunger 51 downwardly until 1t engages the skelp, bending: it transversely.

The gags 5 9 are 'removableto permit the use of different sizes to permit lengthening or shortening the stroke of the" plunger 51.

The trolleys E are adapted to be reciprocated by cranks 60 secured to the shaft 61, which is mountedin suitable bearings under the table.- This shaft 61 is adapted to be rocked by a crank arm :62 which is secured on one endthereof and is connected by links 63 to a second crank arm 63 on the, shaft 64,

l which is journaled in the bearingbracket 65 on the shear D. The shaft 64 is rocked by i a crank 66 secured thereto and connected by a-link 67 to a pinv 68, which is mounted eccentrically ,in the disk 69 on the power op-:

erating shaft of the shear. As the shaft 70 rotates it willrotate the disk 69 and reciprocate the link 67, thereby rocking the shaft 64 and reciprocating the cranks 62 and 63 andlink 63, .therebyrocking the main ,shaft 61 whichinturn will reciprocate the 65 trolleys through the cranks v60.

The pin 68 is so positionedin the disk 69 that during the half revolution of the shaft 70 that provides the down stroke; of the shear, this pin will be moving toward the rear, andthus causingthe trolleys-to move.

freely toward the transfer table for anew pile of skelp, and that during the last half revolution causing the, up stroke oftheshear,

the pin will move forwardly; and move the trolley forwardly to bring a new pile Z'of skelp under the; knives. Y

Extending along the one end of the clipping and cupping table C at'anangle to the line of feed of the trolleys E, is an inclined guide by which the skelp or piles of skelp while being moved sidewiseon said table to the cupping and clipping shear, are moved endwise by engagingtherewith.

. A stop member is arranged to stop or center the skelp under the shear D which com-- prises a lever 72 having an apertured head 73. The lever 72 is pivotally mounted on stub shaft 74L in the bracket 7 5 which is secured to thelower portion of the shear. A

sleeve member 76 is mounted for sliding movement in the head 73and' is adapted to be slidably adjustediby means ofthe screw 77 and nut 7 8. A stop bar 7 9 is secured to the sleeve 76 and has an .upturned end or stop 80. Thestop bar 79 isnormally held inthe path ef-travel of theskelp' by its own weight, but is adapted to be. moved out of the path of travel by a cam-81 on the shaft '61, this cam engaging with the lower end of the lever72 and thereby rocking the shaft 74: to lower the stop bar. The cam 81 is positioned on the shaft to engage and rock the lever 72while the trolleys are making their forward stroke. r i I ,The stop bar 79 and sleeve 76 are made adjustable to permit. adjustment to various sizes of skelp which it is desired to center.

1Av pusherbarmechanism is provided to engage and :push the skelp against thestop 80 of the stop bar 79. This pusher bar :mechanism comprises a cam operated, twoblock 85, and its forward end is adapted to.

be. slid-ably supportedon the bending plunger 51 which is mountedon the front face;

of the shear.

Asuitable stop 88 is provided on the shear which is adapted tobe engaged by a lug 89 on the cam'lever 81 to prevent it dropping below the disk 69. a

&

The pusher bar 87 is mounted in the bearing 85 to permit it being-adjusted to various widths of skelp. 3

The pusher bar mechanism is soadjust-ed and timed that it will engage and pushthe skelp forwardly against the raised stop bar 79 while the trolleys E are making their return stroke for another pile 'of skelp just prior to the engagement of the skelp by shear is operated, cutting ofi? a portion of the skelp of the proper length. The operation of the shear A will cause the disk 20 to rotate, operating the arms or rods'Qe and 25 and causing the dogs 29 to'rotate the ratchet 30 and shafts'll and 1'7, thus moving the conveyer chains 15 and causing'th'emto engage and convey the cut skelp f'romin front of the shear A. Each 0 eration of the shear will cause this last cyc e of operations to be repeated and convey the skelp. step by step, along the transfer table until the first pile strikes the lever 32 which will be forced down and cause the disk 38 to seal the ratchet 30, making it inoperative. The action of the lever 32 is conveyed to the disk 38 through a series of levers, connecting rods, and cranks, as has beendescribedfl,

It will thus be seen that while the skelp remains on the lever or triggerv 32, the conveyer chains will remain stationary since they receive their power from the shaft 17 which is rotated by the ratchet 30.

The skelp is removed from abovejtlie trigger or lever 82 by the dogs 47 on the trolley bars 46 of the clipping; table C, and these bars 46 are adapted to be reciprocated by the cranks 60 on the shaft 61. The shaft 61 is rocked by a system of links and cranks actu-v ated by the disk 69 on the clipping and cupping shear, as before described; I

As the trolley bars 46 and dogs 47 forming the conveyor trolleys E, move the skelp along the table, one end of the skelp will en- "gage the inclined guide-9O and be moved endwise, so that the sheared end or ends of the skelp are positioned lengthwisebetween the clipping knives'of the shear D when the skelp or pile of skelp reaches a position lengthwise in alinement with the center of the cupping and clipping mechanism, in position for'euppin'g and clipping the ends'of the skelp.

The operation of the apparatus lsas for table Where'it, falls into a suitable receptacle means connected .with said clipping and cupping shears for automatically operating said The skelp or pile of skelp in passing into position under the clipping and cupplng shears 1) passes onto the stop bar 79, and

the pusher bar 87 will engage'one longitudinal edge of the skelp or pile of skelp and force theother edge intoengagement with the stop portion 80 of the stop bar 79, thus centering the skelp or pile of skelp under the shears D. p

' After the end of the skelp or pile of skelp has been clipped and cupped the stop bar 79 will be lowered and the trolleys E- will move the skelp forwardly to the edge er the or cradle. V I

\Vhile We have shown and described, specific constructions for the various elements of our improved apparatus','wefldo not wish to be limited beyond the express limitations defined in the appended claims, since yar'ious modifications in construction and-combination of parts will readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. I

1. The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, .of a transfer'table for conveying the skelp fromsaid cutting-off shear, a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table, and means for operating said tables. f

2. The combination with a cutting-01f shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, ofatransfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-ofi'shear, meansconnected with said cutting-off shear for automatically operating said transfer table, a

clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from saidclipping and icuppin gshears, and

clipping table.

3. The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combine d cl ipping'and cupping 1 shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, means connected with said cutting-off shear for automaticallyoperating said transferftable, a clipping table arranged-to receive the skelp from said clipping and cupping shears, means connected with said clipping'and cupping shears for automatically operating said clipping table, and means operable the skelp on said transfer table for controlling the delivery of skelp to said clipping table.

4:. The combination with a cutting-01f shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off she'ar means connected with said cutting-off shear for au- 't-omatical'ly operating'said transfer table, a

shear for automatically operating said clip ping table, means for moving the skelp endwise on said clipping table during its travel thereon, and means for stopping and centering the skelp at said clipping and cupping shear.

5. The combination with a cuttingoff shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, means connected with said cutting-off shear for automatically operating said transfer table, a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said clipping and cupping shear, means connected with said clipping and cupping shear for automatically operating said clipping table, means for moving the skelp endwise on said clipping table during its travel thereon, and means associated with said clipping and cupping shear and automatically operated-thereby for stopping and centering the skelp before it is clipped and cupped. I

6. The combination with a cutting off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table, said table comprising a top composed of a plurality of spaced skids, and a plurality of endless chain conveyers mounted in the spaces between said skids, means operable by said shear for automatically operating said conveyers a predetermined distance at each stroke of said shear, and a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said clipping and cupping shears, means operable by said clipping and cupping shear for operating said clipping table, and means for stopping and centering the skelp at said clipping and cupping shear before it is clipped and cupped.

7. The combination shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, and a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said clip-ping and cupping shear, said last named table comprising a topportion composed of a plurality of spaced plates, conveyer members mounted in the spaces between said plates, and means operable by said clipping and cupping shear for operating said conveyers.

8. The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-ofit' shear, and a clip-ping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey same to said clipping and cupping shear, said last named table comprising a top portion composed of a plura ity of spaced plates, conwith a cutting off veyer members mounted in the spaces between said plates, means operable by said clipping and cupping shear for operating said conveyers, and means for moving the skelp endwise along said table while being conveyed sidewise by said conveyers.

9. The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, and a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said clipping and cupping shear, said last named table comprising a top portion composed of a plurality of spaced plates, conveyer members mounted in the spaces be tween the plates, and a rock shaft and a series of cranks, levers and links connected with said clipping and cupping shear for actuating said conveyers.

10. The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, and a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said clipping and cupping shear, said last named table comprising a topportion composed of a plurality of spaced plates, conveyer members mounted in the spaces between the plates, and a rock shaft and a series of cranks, levers and links connected with said clipping and cupping shear for actuating said conveyers, and means for moving the skelp endwise along said table while being conveyed sidewise by said conveyers.

11; The combination with a cutting-off shear and a combined clipping and cupping shear, of a transfer table for conveying the skelp from said cutting-off shear, and a clipping table arranged to receive the skelp from said transfer table and convey the same to said'clipp-ing and cupping shear, said last named table comprising a top portion composed of a plurality of spaced plates, conveyer members mounted in the spaces between the plates, and a rock shaft and a series of cranks, levers and links connected with said clipping and cupping shear for actuating said conveyers, and means for moving the skelp endwise alongsaid table while being conveyed sidewise by said con-,

veyers, and means associated with said clipping and cupping shear and automatically operated thereby for stopping and centering the skelp before it is clipped and cupped.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

JAMES SIMPSON.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

HARRY E. CLAY. 

